250 was not a winning total, says Misbah

Kolkata, Jan 3 (IANS) Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq Thursday credited a team effort with a special mention for his bowlers after his team won the crucial second onedayer at the Eden Gardens here to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series against India.

"Our opening batsmen gave us a fantastic start and our bowlers bowled really well to take quick wickets at crucial intervals, which allowed us this victory. Victory against India is always big and surely this is a big victory for us," Misbah said in the post match press conference.

He was, however, critical of his middle order for their failure to capitalise on the 141-run opening partnership and conceded that Pakistan target of 250 runs was chaseable.

"After the opening partnership, 290-300 was always on the cards. The pitch was good but our middle order failed to capitalise. The target of 250 was not a winning total. The middle order did not play the way it should have."

"We knew we will have to fight and our bowlers performed well to get quick wickets. The bowlers not only took quick wickets at crucial intervals but also were able to contain the Indian batsmen which put them under pressure," said Misbah.

He was all praise for his young pacers Mohammad Irfan and Junaid Khan and also credited seasoned performers Saeed Ajmal and Umar Gul, who as bowling unit performed "exceptionally well".

Special mention, however, was reserved for opening batsman and Man of the Match Nasir Jamshed, who scored a classy 106 and, of course, the Eden Gardens.

"Fantastic crowd, I enjoy playing here, it's something you don't have in any other ground in the world," were Misbah's words about the venue where Pakistan are yet to lose an ODI against India.